The Prince of Wales announced as patron of the Canal & River Trust

His Royal Highness, The Prince of Wales, a long-time supporter of the waterways, is to become the first Patron of the new Canal & River Trust, the body being set up to care for the historic canals and rivers of England and Wales. The news is being announced at the first meeting of the Trust’s Council in Birmingham.

The Prince will be an important voice of support for the Trust
Tony Hales, Chairman of the Canal & River Trust

Tony Hales, Chairman of the Canal & River Trust, says: “We are absolutely delighted that The Prince of Wales has agreed to become the Canal & River Trust’s founding Patron. As a passionate advocate for British heritage, nature, communities and tourism, The Prince will be an important voice of support for the Trust. The Prince’s patronage is further testimony to the incredible and wide-ranging support the Canal & River Trust has already received, and an important milestone in our journey towards establishing this exciting new charity.”

The Canal & River Trust is due to be launched this summer, taking over the waterways, museums and properties of British Waterways and The Waterways Trust in England and Wales. Scotland’s waterways will also be represented by the Prince of Wales, in his role as Patron of The Waterways Trust Scotland.

The Canal & River Trust is the new charity being set up to care for England and Wales’ wonderful legacy of 200-year-old waterways, holding them in trust for the nation forever. It will be among the UK’s biggest charities, with responsibility for 2,000 miles of canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, along with museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of protected historic buildings.